Colleges of Experts are groups of independent experts from academia and industry who provide Government Departments with independent advice on their policy work to ensure it meets robust scientific standards. DCMS – whose responsibilities include culture, arts, media, sport, tourism and civil society – now have a panel of 58 external experts who will advise officials in the Department on scientific and technical issues.
Specifically, the DCMS College of Experts aims to:
- Provide expert input in developing new broad strategies and policies
- Provide expert input on specific issues with a particular emphasis on emerging strategic issues for the Department
- Provide input into explorations into the consequences and challenges arising from emerging technologies and novel policies;
- Provide a means of two-way dialogue with the research and scientific communities on topical issues central to the department’s remit.
Professor Sarah Mills’, Professor of Human Geography research includes looking at the digital geographies of childhood, popular culture, and parenting through collaborative ESRC research on children and young people’s experiences of gaming/gambling. Professor Mills was an already serving member of the College of Experts.
Professor Paul Downward, Professor of Economics at the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, is a new appointee to the College of Experts. Professor Downward researches the economics of sport and is currently coediting a handbook looking at what impact sport and physical activity has on health and well-being, social capital, inclusion and exclusion, human capital and labour markets.
Dr Rachel Sandford is Reader in Physical Education, Youth and Social Justice at the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences who researches young people’s experiences of, attitudes towards, and participation in physical education, physical activity and youth sport. She is also a new appointee.
Professor Downward and Dr Sandford recently hosted a visit for representatives from the DCMS to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences to learn more about the research going on at Loughborough University.
Earlier this year, Professor Downward and Dr Sandford were involved in separate submissions - each involving other Loughborough colleagues – to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's Inquiry on community and school sport, demonstrating the policy application of their research.
Professor Tom Crick, Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department said: "We are delighted to welcome our new members of DCMS College of Experts. Since 2021, the College of Experts has made a significant impact on our department, ensuring that our policy design, development and implementation is grounded in the most rigorous and robust research and evidence available. Your engagement will help us continue to tackle the complex and interdisciplinary challenges across our policy areas with confidence and insight. We look forward to engaging with you and building on the meaningful collaboration that has shaped and informed impactful decision-making."
Loughborough University now has a total of 6 experts on College of Experts across 3 Government Departments.